STUDENTS have been encouraged to treasure their school and appreciate how it is preparing them for their future.

Hugh McHale-Maughan, who left Ripon Grammar School as head boy in 2013, was special guest at the annual Lower School prizegiving.

Now working within the Treasury, he said the school was the place where he had spent his happiest years.

He said: “Your lives are going to be great. You are some of the most well-educated students in the world living in a country that is one of the wealthiest, safest and happiest on the planet.”

He added: “Eighty five per cent of the jobs in 2030 haven’t been invented yet, so if you don’t know what you want to do, don’t worry."

Dr Peter Mason, chairman of governors, praised the students for their achievements and said there was unremitting ambition for the future of the school.